Mail-bag fastener.



PATENTED SEPT*l 8, 1903.

s. J. BROWN. MAIL BAG PASTBNER..

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

N0 HODEL.

l citizen ofthe United States,residing at Ekron,

ri. testes.,

UNITED STATES Patented September 8, 1903.

`PATENT OEEIGE.

SAMUEL .L BROWN, OE EKRON, KENTOKY, AssIGNoE OE ONE-MALE To WILLIAM A. MORGAN, OE EAsTMAN, GEORGIA.

MAIL-BAG FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,522, dated September S, 1903.

Application filed June 30, 1903.

To otZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. BROWN, a

in the county of Meade and State of Kentucky, have invented anew and useful Mail- Bag Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail-bag fasteners, and has for its object to simplify and improve devices of this character and produce a device which may be quickly connected and disconnected and which will securely fasten the bag and without increasing the expense of manufacture or complica.-l tion of parts.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention,in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bag open with the fastening means disconnected. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the fastening means in positionV ready to be closed. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the fastening means closed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional detail on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

The mail-bag proper is represented at 10 with one side extended into a flap 11, adapted to be folded over the upper portion of the sides, and with a plurality of spaced eyelets 12 13, respectively, on both of the sides near the mouth, as shown, the eyelets being oppositely disposed, so that when the bag is closed the eyelets in one side will register with those in the other side, as shown in Fig. 4. The eyelets will preferably be reinforced by metal plates 14, riveted tothe bag material, as shown.

Extending from the inner face of the flap 11 are a plurality of spaced studs 15, having enlarged heads and adapted when the flap is folded `to close the bag to pass through the registering eyelets and protrude by their enlarged heads from the opposite side, as shown in Fig. 4. The studs are formed with laterally-extended butt-ends, as shown, to enable Serial No. 163,757. (No model.)

them to be riveted to the bag fabric and will be reinforced by clamp-plates 16 on the opposite side of the flap, the rivets passing through the three parts, as shown in Fig. 4. Attached by the clamp-plates 16 of one of the end studsl5 is a primary strap 17, having a perforated hasp-plate 1S at its free end, adapted to engage a staple 19, extending from the opposite end of the flap, as shown. The staple will be formed with a laterally-extended base similar to the studs 15 and riveted to the llap and reinforced by oneof the plates 16, which is also utilized to assist in holding a short strap 21, having a perforated haspplate 22 on its free end and adaptedto engage the staple 10 whenfolded around the end of the closed bag, as shown in Fig. 6.

Attached to the primary strap 17 at intervals corresponding to the studs 15 are hooks 23, adapted to engage the studs from one side behind their heads when the strap is drawn taut and engaged with the staple 19.

Slidably disposed upon the primary strap 17 is a secondary strap 24, held in place on the primary strap by spaced ferrules or slides 25 and having spaced hooks 26, disposed reversely to the hooks 23 and adapted to engage the opposite sides of the studs 15 loeneath their heads when the secondary strap is drawn longitudinally beneath the primary strap, as will be obvious. The secondary strap is provided with a hasp-plate 27, adapted to engage the staple 19 when the device is to be locked, the hasp-plates being so placed that they will engage the staple only when the hooks 23 and 26 arein engagement with the studs 15. The secondary strap operates between the bag and the primary strap, as Shown, and the straps will be provided with extensions, as at 28 29, by which they may be operated. The primary strap is also provided with an aperture at 30, through which the reduced end 3l of the secondarystrap extends, as shown, to provide means for drawing the secondary strap longitudinally of the primary strap to release the hook members from the studs when the bag is to be opened. The aperture will preferably be formed by severing the strap and connecting a metal loop 32 tothe severed ends by riveting, as at 33. By this means the strap is not weakened, as it would be if a perforation were made through the body of the strap. A slip ferrule or shield 34 will be arranged to cover the loop and the aperture formed thereby, as shown,

to conceal and protect the loop and strap end passing through it. Thus by drawing the secondary strap in one direction by the part 29 the hooks 26 will be engaged with the studs 15 and the hasp-plate 27 placed in position to engage the staple 19, and then when drawn in the opposite direction by the part 31 the studs will he released to enable the bag to be opened. By this simple arrangement after the mail-matter is introduced into the bag the flap 11 is folded down over the mouth and the studs 15 inserted through the registering eyelets 12 13. The secondary strap 24 is then drawn backwardly to separate the hooks 23 and 26, as in Fig. 2, and the straps passed over the bag with the hooks upon op! posite sides of the studs. The short strap 2l is then connected over the staple and the two straps 17 and 24 adjusted to close the hooks upon the'studs and their hasp-plates connected over the staple 19, after which the padlock can be applied.

To release the bag, it is only necessary to remove the padlock, Vdetach the hasp-plates, and draw the secondary strap longitudinally of the primary strap by the protruding end 31 to-release the hooks 23 and 26 and enable the studs to be disconnected.

The ferrules 25 Will extend close to the bases of the hooks, which are extended and riveted to their respective straps, lso that they will not only form guides to the straps to hold them in proper position, but also as guards to prevent the surreptitious opening of the closing device. The mouth of the bag is thus securely closed-and the contents effectually guarded and protected, while at the same time the closing means may be very quickly closed or opened when required.

The usual name or address cli'ps or holders may be attached as in ordinary mail-pouches.

The whole voperation can be very quickly and easily accomplished and will save much valuable time and at the same time produce the desired effects without increase of expense or complication of parts.

The parts may be of any required size and 'of anysuitable material and adapted to all the various sizes 0f mail-bags.

Having thus described the invention, what `I claim is- 1. The combination of a mail-bag'having 'one Side extended into a flap and with oppof positely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side, and detachably connected to said bag, whereby the bag may be locked closed, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a ap and with oppositelydisposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs having enlarged heads extending inwardly from said ap and adapted to protrude through said eyelets when the iiap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the bag and provided with spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side, and detachably connected to said bag by the opposite end, a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having oppositely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side and detachably connected to said bag, and binding-ferrules inclosing said straps between said hooks, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a Hap and with oppositely-disposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs having enlarged heads extending inwardly from said flap and adapted to protrude through said eyelets when theilap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the Hap near its free edge at one side and extending across the bag'adjacent to said eyelets, means for detachably connecting said primary strap to the flapv near its free edge at the opposite side, spaced hooks connected to said primary strap and adapted to engage said studs from one side, a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said "primary strap and having spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs upon their opposite sides and bindingferrules inclosing said straps between said hook members, substantially as described.

4. The combination ofa mail-bag having one side extended into a flap and with ppositely-disposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs having enlarged heads and extending inwardly from said ap andA adapted to engage said eyelets when the flap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the fiap near its free edge at one side and extending across the bag adjacent to said eyelets, and having an aperture in its free end, a staple extending from said ap and adapted to be engaged by said aperture, spaced hooks connected to said primary strap and adapted to engage said studs from one side, a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from their opposite sides and with an aperture at one end adapted to engage said staple, and spaced binding-ferrules inclosing said straps between said hooks, substantially as described.

v5. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a Iiap and with oppositelydisposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs extending inwardly from said flap and adapted to engage said eyelets,

IOO

IOS

IIO

IZO

a staple member connected to said flap and adapted to engage one set of said eyelets when the flap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the bag and provided with spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side, and with a hasp-plate adapted to engage said staple and a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having oppositely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side and likewise provided with a hasp-plate adapted to engage said staple when the hooks are closed, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a flap and with oppositelydisposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs extending inwardly from said flap and adapted to engage said eyelets, a staple member connected to said ap and adapted to engage one set of said eyelets when the iiap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the bag and provided with spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side, and with a hasp-plate adapted to engage said staple, av secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having oppositely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side and likewise provided with a hasp-plate adapted to engage said staple, a

clamp-strap connected to said flap at the staple end and provided with a hasp-plate adapted to engage said staple when said clamp-strap is folded around the end of the bag, substantially as described.

'7. Amail-baghavingonesideextendedinto a iiap and with oppositely-disposed spaced eyelets through its sides, and having studs extending inwardly from said flap adapted to engage said eyelets when the flap is folded, said studs having laterally-extended bases, and with reinforcing-plates riveted thereto on the outer side of the flap, a primary strap connected by one end between the reinforcingplate of the end stud and the flap and having spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side when the flap is folded, and a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and provided with oppositelydisposed spaced hooks adapted to engage the opposite side ot' said studs, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a iiap and with oppositely-disposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs having enlarged heads and extending inwardly from said flap and adapted to engage said eyelets when the Hap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the bag and provided with spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side and detachably connected to said bag by the opposite end, a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having oppositely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side, and detachably connected to said bag, said primary strap having an aperture thronghwhich the free end of said secondary strap is protruded to provide means for moving it relative to said primary strap, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a mail-bag having one side extended into a iiap and with oppositely -disposed spaced eyelets through its sides, spaced studs having enlarged heads and extending inwardly from said flap and adapted to engage said eyelets when the iiap is folded, a primary strap connected by one end to the bag and provided with spaced hooks adapted to engage said studs from one side and detachably connected to said bag by the opposite end, a secondary strap slidably disposed upon said primary strap and having oppcsitely-disposed hooks spaced apart and adapted to engage said studs from the opposite side, and detachably connected to said bag, said primary strap having an aperture formed by connecting a metal loop in the primary strap and through which the free end of said secondary strap is -protruded to provide means for moving it relative to said primary strap, substantially as described.

1n testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL J. BROVN.

Witnesses:

A. E. GUEDY, O. H. MILLS. 

